What is mindfulness meditation?
Mindfulness meditation is a scientifically grounded style of meditation that helps to stabilize a state of psychological health. It is a type of cognitive psychotherapy that focuses on consciousness.
Mindfulness meditation is also simple but also quite beneficial, especially when it comes to melancholy and anxious moods.
Photo by Savanna Goldring from Pexels:
Mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy-MBCT) is the element of awareness that comes by directing our attention or attention to specific thoughts, feelings, or things present in the present moment.
Instead of immediately directing attention to a particular thought, emotion, or thing that we perceive, our consciousness experiences mindfulness for a short moment, that is, a complete focus on that thought, emotion, or thing.
Because mindfulness is a small moment, it is impossible to perceive it without learning and practicing the meditation technique.
Although meditation as a kind of relaxation has Buddhist roots, it is crucial to note that mindfulness as a form of psychotherapy does not involve any spiritual, spiritual, or religious approaches, meaning that it is compatible with all religious beliefs and worldviews.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska:
Mindfulness as psychotherapy – when is it used?
People who struggle with depressed and anxiety disorders are the most likely to benefit from mindfulness activities.
They are also beneficial to those who:
- They often have a tendency to think negatively,
- for those who are overly concerned about possible disasters in the future,
- they are too self-critical,
- have sudden mood swings,
- they often question their negative reactions and want to change them,
- have trouble maintaining concentration,
- they are often overwhelmed by unpleasant emotions and do not know how to deal with them,
- hey want to improve their mental and physical condition, find inner peace and thus prevent many diseases, live life to the fullest without excessive consumption of alcohol and tranquilizers, ( etc., suffer from insomnia, headaches, pain in the back, abdomen, neck or other parts of the body),
- have difficulty accepting a diagnosis of a sudden illness or difficulty coping with treatment problems and physical symptoms.
- they want to improve their mental and physical condition, find inner peace and thus prevent many diseases,
- live life to the fullest without.
If a person is suffering from severe depression, panic attacks, fear, or anxiety, mindfulness as a form of psychotherapy is only indicated if the symptoms are at least slightly alleviated because the result is better.
Mindfulness techniques
Mindfulness techniques and practices are taught in particular courses led by trained and licensed instructors who are usually psychologists or psychiatrists, but can also be other professionals (most often in the field of mental health). The training lasts several weeks and focuses on cognitive therapy of focused awareness as well as the implementation of practices to aid with stress, negative thoughts, and other issues.Although scientific research has shown that the mindfulness technique is primarily intended for people suffering from frequent depressive episodes, it has also been shown to be effective in anxiety and panic states, but also in disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The mindfulness approach can also benefit those who do not have any mental illnesses (e.g., improving concentration, maintaining attention, learning, coping with stress). Aspects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is closely related to the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, one of the most well-known psychotherapies, are included in mindfulness, in addition to studying meditation.The ACT method’s major goal is to teach people how to accept barriers and challenges that are unavoidable but can be regarded in a new light.
In this approach, a life’s meaning and purpose are built based on particular life ideals.
Is mindfulness really effective?
Mindfulness, like any other psychotherapy, is only effective if its methods are followed correctly and consistently, not only during the course but also afterward.
What’s nice about a mindfulness course is that, in addition to learning beneficial relaxation methods and techniques during the course, you’ll also receive workout manuals and soundtracks to use at home and after the course.Not only during but also after the training, mindfulness meditation involves regular work on oneself.
If you think this is too much for you and you won’t be able to find an hour a day to do these exercises, you should seek individual psychological counseling. This will mostly help you manage your schedule so you know when to do mindfulness exercises every day. This psychotherapeutic technique’s main and ultimate goal is to assist people in living in the present moment without being burdened by particular worries and fears, as well as negative thoughts and emotions.
This strategy can help people take a different attitude toward ideas, feelings, and things that upset them too much, and it can make it easier for them to deal with problems they haven’t been able to deal with before, because people have a tendency to react self-destructively. All of this improves an individual’s psychological and physical well-being, as well as his potential and strengths, as well as his interactions with others.
